Hydraulic elevator.



K. E. 0. JANSSON. HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, I907.

1,159,038. I Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

QX)" avwawtoz 3511 Mew tonne COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH c0" WASHINGTON, D. c.

ing from the yoke 8 is an auxiliary plunger 10. The sheave 6, yoke 8 and plunger 10 will together comprise the counterweight, and preferably, in practice, will exceed the weight of car 3 and plunger 2 by an amount equal to one-half the maximum load which the car is to carry, though it will be understood that the particular amount of excess Weight on the counterbalance side, if any, will not necessarily be this amount, and in some cases it may be desirable to have the Weights on opposite sides balance each other more or less. 1.1 is a toand-fro pipe leading to cylinder 1, and connected by a suitable connection to a port, 12 of the main three position controlling valve 13. i

In referring to the valve 13 as a three position valve, I refer broadly to valves of the well-known three way type. wherein there is a central closed. position and opposite extreme open positions, one extreme open position causing the car to go up and the other causing the car to go down, and the center closed position causing the car to remain stationary, such valves being usually controlled from the car by a controlling lever having corresponding positions. It will, however, be understood that the actuating connections for these three-position valves may be widely varied from that herein shown without departing from the invention.

14 is an auxiliary cylinder in part or wholly above the maincylinder 1, so as to provide a head of wat r, or a water column for ralsing the plunger 2 and the car when the main valve is manipulated for thie -purpose. By reason of the movable sheave 6, and the cable connection 1 therewith, it will be seen that the plunger 2 will move twice as fast as the plunger 10, and in order to avoid loss of pressure, the plunger 10 will have approximately twice the cross section of plunger 2, thereby making their volumes equal. Whenever the plunger 2 goes up, plunger 10 will go down, and accordingly, the main valve 13 is connected by a pipe 15 with the cylinder 14, and the pistons and ports are so arranged that one movement of the main valve permits such respective movements of the plungers to take place in both directions simultaneously. Inasmuch as the 7 water column in cylinder 14: supplies lifting pressure for the car, and by reason of the approximate balancing of the system, the car will ascend whenever cylinders l and 14 are connected, as the pressure required need be only suflicient to lift the live load. Where the car is overbalanced, the lifting pressure will, of course, be less, in order to raise the car, and by making the excess weight equal to one-half the maximum live load, an operation will result well suited for average operating conditions. By reason of the over:

balancing of the car, the cylinder 14 becomes in effect, a loaded accumulator, and any live load the car descends with, reduces to a corresponding degree the amount of power required to lift the counterweight plunger.

The main valve comprises a stem 17 carrying pistons 18, 19, 20, 21, and has at one end a controlling passage 22, 27, which is con nected with a pilot valve 23. This pilot valve is operated by manual connections upon the car in a well known manner, these connections not being shown but being arranged to reciprocate lever 24. 25 is a link attached at one end to the lever 2 and at the other to the stem 26 of the pilot valve inside casing 23, which stem 26 carries suitable controlling pistons for admitting pressure to the lower side of piston 18 through pipes 22 and 27, to raise the main valve stem, thereby opening the main cylinder 1, through pipe 11, port 12 and port 28 of main valve 13 to the exhaust. Simultaneously, piston 21 connects supply port 29 of the main valve with port 30, and thence by pipe 15 to cylinder 14, thereby admitting pressure to cylinder 14. lhis operation causes the carto descend and the counterweight plunger 10 to ascend. To cause the car to ascend, the pipes and 27 of the main valve, are, by a proper manipulation of the pilot valve stem 26, opened to the exhaust, whereupon the supply pressure against the piston 21 will move the main valve stem downward so'that piston 20 will uncover port 12, and thus establish a circulating passage between the cylinder 14 and the cylinder 1, causingthe car to ascend by the pressure in cylinder 14: as before stated. In this connection, it should be stated that the main valve stem is connected by a rack, gear and worm with the pilot valve stem 26, so that the pilot valve being manually opened by the operator, will be automatically closed by the movement of the main valve. Also, the movement of the main valve will be proportional to the amount of throw given the pilot valve.

. A. further feature of this invention com prises the automatic stop nechanism which is applied to the counterweight plunger and acting to automatically cushion and retard the counterweight plunger at each end of its movement in cylinder 14. This forms a very effective mechanism for automatically step ping the car at the ends, since the pressures used in systems of this character are never suflicient' to lift the car if it is entirely un counterbalanced, so that if the counter weight cannot move it is immaterial whether the pressure be under the main plunger or the exhaust of the niain lcylinder be open and the pressure applied to lift the c ean terweight plunger. For cushioning the counterweight pIu'ngerlO at the top, an auxgrooves through which the trapped water r the plunger 10 is hollowed as at 36, and pro-' videdwith a lower packing-37. At the end of cylinder 14:v is an upright perforated 03S.

-may' escape is reduced, thereby increasing the cushioning eflfect as the endis reached In order to stop the car at the top and the plunger 10 at the bottom, the lower end or ing or tube 38 having graduated ports, oi such adiameter as to pass within packing-37, whereupon the water thus trapped in the hollow end 36 is forced. out through the graduated perforation as the plunger 10 ap} proaches the bottom, thus cushioning its descent, and preventing the car from running over the top limit. These cushioning devices, depending upon the linear movement of plunger 10, will be more effective, because the main plunger is inoving at twice the linear speed of plunger 10, and no stresses are put on the main plunger 2, except those naturally due to the live load, and these will not ordinarily be large or excessive because the system is either over-weighted or balanced.

In order to prevent the formation of a vacuum at the top of cylinder 33, vhen the plunger 10 moves down, an auxiliary circulating passage 40 is provided between the opposite sides of packing 35, and this pipe L0 is controlled by a piston 41 on main valve stem 17 so that this passage 40 is opened at the center position of the main val ve, and while it moves to connect the two cylinders through pipes 15 and 11, but when themain valve moves up from the center position to permit the car to descend and "the counter; weight plunger 10 to ascend, thepiston 4L1 cuts off passage 40.

In the description thus far given of the operation, the design of the ports has not been particularly described, but it will be understood that the main valve ports willbe so designed as to at times cause the niain plunger to move quicker than the counterweight plunger and vice versa, which results can be accomplished by a proper design of the ports so as to throttle the water supply at certain portions of the main valve stroke. For instance, in stopping the car going up, the escape of water from cylinder 14 should be throttled so as to retard the de scent of the counterweight plunger 10, there'- its plunger Also the exhaust from the main cylinder could-be thrott'led to secure a similar retardatiombut this would tend to buckle the plunger 2, if made too pronounced 5 p From the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of'the invention will be fully understood and it will be seen that a hydraulic elevator system is provided in "which an economy of power will result, and

also a material reduction in the'compressing strains to which the plungers of underbalanced hydrauli c systems are new subject. Furthermore, it will; be seen that the car can be stopped going u Within any limits wl'iich-are practicable, and likewise in going down. Also it will be seen that I have provided a controlling valve or novel and advantageous construction and simple in operation and design. Byvthe use of. the automatic end stopping mechanism described,

a the safety of the carwillbe insured without involving any str in on its plunger, and also the use of ektraneousyvalves, and conn'ecti'on's operated by meansof the car or devices in the elevator 'sliaftis avoided.

Inasmuch as the invention is susceptible of various modifications and changes in the forin, proportions, design and arrangement of parts, it isnot to be restricted'to the precise form and arrangement herein shown and particularly described;

7 Furthermore, 'I Wish to] be understood that the power 'cylindersmay be diiferently arranged, than as herein" shown, in such manner as to be simultaneously controlled bya main valve, the" plunger of one going upf'while that oit'vthe other goes down. i

Having thus described my invention, I declare that I claim as new and desire to'secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an elevator system, the combination with a car-having a counterbalance heavier 1 than the car, of separate hydraulic moto'rs directly and independently connected to the car and the counterbalance, and a three-pd, sition'valve for simultaneously controlling saidmotors, oneiof said motors in one position of said valve being directly connected with the other and supplying lifting power thereto. 5

'2. In an elevator system, the combination with a car having a counterbalance heavier than the cartoan extent proportionedto the load, ofseparate hydraulic motors di rectly and independently connected to the car and the counterbalance, said motors opcrating simultaneously in opposite directions, and a three-position valve for simultaneously controlling said motors, one of said motors in one position of said valve being directly connected with the other and supplying lifting power thereto.

3. In a hydraulic plunger elevatorsystem, the. combination with a hydraulic plunger supported car having a hydraulic plunger supported counterbalance directly connected thereto by overhead cables and heavier than the car, of separate motor cylinders carrying said respective plungers, said plungers oper ating simultaneously in opposite directions, and a three-position valve for simultaneously controlling said motors, one of said motors in one position of said valve being directly connected with the other and supolying lifting power thereto.

4. In an elevator system, the combination with a car and a main plunger connected thereto, of a main cylinder therefor, a counterweight having a plunger, a cylinder for said counterweight plunger, the counterweight and plunger being heavier than the car and main plunger and located above the main cylinder, and a valve having two open positions, one connecting said cylinders and cutting of? the pressure to raise the car, and the other admitting supply pressure to the counterweight cylinder and opening the main cylinder to exhaust to lower the car.

5. In an elevator system, the combination with a hydraulic plunger carrying a car, of a heavier counterweight plunger, said plungers operating together in opposite directions in parallel cylinders, the counterweight cylinder being above the other cylinder, means for connecting said cylinders and cutting off the pressure to raise the car, and means for lowering the car by admitting pressure to the counterweight cylinder and opening the other cylinder to exhaust.

6. In. a hydraulic plunger elevator system, the combination with a main cylinder having a plunger carrying a car, of a counterweight comprising a second plunger heavier than the car and main plunger, a cylinder for said counterweight plunger located above said main cylinder and a controlling valve for connecting said cylinders and cutting oil the pressure to raise the car, and opening the main cylinder to exhaust and the counterweight cylinder to pressure to lower the car.

7. In a hydraulic plunger elevator system,

the combination with a main cylinder havmg a plunger carrying a car, of a second cylinder'located above the main cylinder, a plunger in said latter cylinder connected to the car and main plunger to have one half the travel, said second plunger being heavier than the car and main plunger and of the same displacement as the main plunger, and

a valve for connecting said cylinders and cutting off the pressure to raise the car, and opening the main cylinder to exhaust and the-second cylinder to pressure to lower the car. i

8. In a hydraulic plunger elevator system, the combination with a main cylinder having a plunger carrying a car, of a second cylinder located above the main cylinder, a plunger in said latter cylinder connected to the car and main plunger to have one half the travel, said second plunger being heavier than the car-and main plunger and of the same displacement as the main plunger, a valve for controlling both plungers to raise and lower the car, and means in said second cylinder for automatically retarding the car at bothends.

9. In an elevator system, the combination with a hydraulic cylinder and a plunger carrying a car, of a counterweight comprising a second plunger, a cylinder therefor, and'automatic end retarding mechanism for both ends controlled by said second plunger, substantially as described.

10. In an elevator system, the combination with a hydraulic cylinder and a plunger carrying a car, of a second cylinder and a plunger carrying a counterweight, and a hydraulic automatic end retarding mechanism for both ends independent of the said plunger and controlled by said counterweight, substantially as described.

11. In an elevator system, the combination with a hydraulic plunger carrying a car, of a counterweight carrying a plunger, said counterweight and plunger being heavier than the car and plunger, and automatic end retarding means for both ends controlled by said counterweight plunger, substantially as described.

12. In an elevator system, the combination with a main hydraulic plunger carrying a car, of a counterweight carrying a plunger, means for controlling the main plunger, and means carried by the counterweight plunger for automatically slowing the main plunger at the ends of travel of the counterweight plunger, substantially as described.

13. In an elevator system, the combination with a main hydraulic plunger carrying a car, of a counterweight carrying a plunger, means for controlling the main plunger, means carried by the counterweight plunger for automatically slowing the main plunger at the ends of travel of the counterweight plunger, and means for applying lifting power to the counterweight, substantially as described.

let. In an elevator system, the combination with a main hydraulic plunger carrying a car, of a counterweight heavier than the car comprising in part a plunger, hy-

- greenest draulic inea-ns preventing :fall of" the counterweight'except when the main plunger is tobe lifted, cylinders for said plungers, and means for connecting said cylinders and cutting the pressure to lift the main plunger. l

l 15.;In an elevator system,the combination with a main hydraulic plunger carrying a car, of a counterweight and plunger exceeding the weight of the car and connected thereto by ropes, means for applying power from the counterweight cylinder to the main plunger to lift the car while the supply pressure is cut-off, and forapplying power to the counterweight plunger and opening the main cylinder to exhaust 1 to lower the car, substantially as described.

16. In a hydraulic elevator, system, the combination with a main hydraulic plunger and car, of a counterweight and plunger opposing the car and main plunger, and means for cushioning the counterweight plunger at the-ends of-its travel and therebyautomatically retarding the car, substantially as described.

17. In an elevator system, the combination with a main cylinder, a plunger therein carrying a car, of a second cylinder carrying a plunger heavier than the car and main plunger, said plungers being connected by overhead ropes and sheaves causing the second plunger to move one half the travel of a the main plunger, and three position valve mechanism for controlling said plungers si-: P

multaneously, said valveand its connections being arranged to cause the motor fluid to circulate directly from the second cylinder to the main cylinder in raising the car.

18. A hydraulic plunger elevator system comprising a hydraulic cylinder having a plunger carrying a car, a counterweight carrying a plunger working in a second cylinder, and automatic end retarding devices acting on said counterweight plunger for stopping the car at opposite ends of its travel, substantially as described.-

19. The combination with a hydraulic cylinder containing a plunger, and a car mounted on sald plunger,of a second cylmdercontaining a counterweight plunger connected with the car, means in said counterweight cylinder for automatically retarding the plunger at one end of the travel, a main valve, and means controlled by said main valve for permitting said counterweight plunger to start in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

20. The combination with .a direct hydraulic plunger elevator, of a counterweight flexibly connected thereto, and means independent of the plunger and cooperating with the counterweight forv automatically retard ing the elevatorat the ends.

21. The combination with a direct hydraulic" plunger elevator, of v a counterweight flexibly connected thereto and 1 moving with the carat a :lower s'peed,fand means inde pendent Jot-the plunger and/cooperating with the counterweight for automatically retarding theelevator at-the ends;

draulicsplunger elevator, of a counterweight plunger andghydraulic'cylinder flexibly connected thereto, and hydraulic means cooper:

ating with. the-counterweight plunger "for.

automatically retardingrthe elevator 'atth'e ends; A. V p v. 23. The combination'with direct hyplunger. and hydraulic cylinder flexibly con nected thereto andmovingat a less speed,

and hydranlichmeans cooperating with the counterweight plunger for automatically re-' tarding theielevator at. the ends. 7 2a. The combination-with an:elevator car,

of a hydraulic plunger having one end connected with thecar,'a cylindercontaining --,sa'id plunger, and means within the cylinder whereby the free end of said plunger is automatically retarded at each end of the a 7 cylinder.

I 25. The combination with an elevator car, of a hydraulic plunger having one end connected with the car by means causing it to move at a less speed than the car, a cylinder containing said plunger, and means within the cylinderwhereby the'free end of said lunger is automatically retarded at each end of the cylinder.

26. The combination with two cylinders containing each aplunger, one cylinder supplying actuating pressure for the other to move. the plungers in one direction, a controlling valve for said cylinders, and an auxiliary equalizing valve adapted to be opened when said controlling valve is operatedto connect the cylinders.

27. In an elevator system, the combination with a main hydraulic plunger carrying a car, of a counterweight connected there with carrying a plunger, cylinders for said plungers, means for controlling the main plunger, and means carried by the counterweight plunger for' automatically slowing both plungers at the ends of travel of the counterweight plunger.

draulic plunger elevator,'o'f. acounterweight water therefrom to operate the car in both. directions, said Valve and its connections be ing arranged to cause the motor fluid to circulate directly from the second cylinder to the main cylinder in raising the car.

29. In an elevator system, the combination with a cylinder and a main hydraulic plunger carrying a car, of a counterweight heavier than theicar comprising a second plunger, a hydraulic cylinder for said second plunger, and a single valve having separate passages for applying power to said second cylinder and simultaneously opening the main cylinder to exhaust to lower the car, and raising the car by opening the main cylinder to pressure and the counterweight cylinder to exhaust water therefrom, said valve and its connections being arranged to cause the motor fluid to circulate di- 'rectly from the second cylinder to the main cylinder in raising the car.

30. In an elevator system, the combination with a main cylinder, a plunger therein carrying a car, of a second cylinder carrying a plunger heavier than the car and main plunger and of the same displacement, said plungers being connected by overhead ropes, and a three-position valve mechanism for simultaneously connecting either of said cylinders to exhaust Water therefrom and the other to pressure to' operate the car in both directions, said valve and its connections being arranged to cause the motor fluid to circulate directly from the second cylinder to the main cylinder in raising the car.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

KARL E. OSSIAN JANSSON.

Witnesses JULIAN S. Woos'rnn, Gino. A. HOFFMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the tommissionerof Patents.

Washington, I). G. 1 

